Water skiing training device



Dec. 10, 1957 N. T. BALDANZA WATER SKIING TRAINING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 19. 1956 INVENTOR.

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WATER SKIING TRAINING DEVICE Filed Jan. 19, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. lY/Cf/OL/l 7.' BAzmlvz/a WATER SG TRAINKNG DEVICE Nicholas T. Baldauza, Rutherford, N. J.

Application January 19, 1956, Serial No. 560,092

20. Claims. (Cl. 272-17) This invention relates to simulator-trainers and more particularly is directed to an apparatus for simulating water skiing conditions as a means for instructing begin ners in that sportand for. use as an amusementdevice.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described which will serve as awater skiing simulator-trainer for beginners, which will facilitate instructing the novice in basic water skiing, technique prior to any: actual attemptbehind a speeding boat, which apparatus will provide conditions paralleling those actually encountered in the sport, which will provide a stream of water having a velocity and a towline having a forward pull force comparable to the speed and towline force of a towing boat under actual conditions, which apparatus shall be relatively simple in construction'comprising few parts for easy assembly to occupy a relatively small area, which apparatus shall provide means for safeguarding against bodily injury. while training and which eliminates swimming skill-as a prerequisite, which apparatus may utilize a. wide variety of bodies of water including a tank, tub or basin which can also serve as-a swimming pool whennot used as atrainer or whichcan be installed in existing swimming pools with a minimum of reconstruction, which simulatontrainer shall require a minimum of supervision and attendance to operate and require a minimum of repair and maintenance, which shall be equipped with automatic timing and cycling means for use in instructing and also as a coin operated amusement device, and which shall be efficientand practical to a high degree in use.

Other objects of the invention will in partbe obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists of features ofconstruction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter disclosed, the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims following.

In the accompanying drawing in which an illustrative embodiment of .the invention is shown:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view partly in section of a water skiing simulator-trainer embodying the invention showing a trainee in full lines in transition from a seated position shown in broken lines to a normal erect skiing position.

Fig. 2is a top plan view of the water skiingsimulatortrainer shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram of an automatic timing and control mechanism for the water skiing simulator-trainer shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view partly in sectionof the bearing mounting the thrust producing mechanism bar on the supporting horizontal shaft showing the closed ended slot and pin stop means, the bar being in the extreme position shown in broken lines in Fig. 1.

Referring in detail to the drawings, denotes a water skiing simulator-trainer constructed to embody the invention. Any suitable body of water or part thereof may be utilized for installing the apparatus, or as shown r4 Ice in Figs. 1 and 2, simulator-trainer 10 may comprise a water containing vessel, basin or pool, such as, tank 11 fitted with water circulating equipment 12 for providing a stream of water S flowing through tank 11 from front to rear at a velocity equivalent to the speed of water ski towing boats to provide the necessary lift to skis A when disposed upon stream S at the proper angle of attack as shown in full lines in Fig. 1 for supporting a mans weight, towline '13 and a thrust producing mechanism 14forprovidinga pulling or tensioning force on towline 13 comparable to that eXerted by such towing boats under actual water skiing conditions.

Tank 11 may be of any suitable size and configuration, here shown to be relatively narrow and elongated and having a shallow forward end 11a, a sloping midportion 11b and a relatively deeper reservoir or sump forming rear end separated from mid-portion 11b by a screen 111', rear end 11c being provided with a cover 11d having onthe upper surface thereof padding 11e. Cover 11d and padding He may also extend laterally beyond longitudinal sides 11g and along the tank midportion- 11b and have an upstanding screen 11 extending aboutthe perimeter thereof for protection of the trainee against injury. A seat 11h may be formed by anextension of cover 11d .and padding 112 overhanging the rear of tank mid-portion 11b.

Equipment 12 may include a suitable water pumping means, such .as, electric motor or other power operated pump 15 having an inlet side thereof connected by pipe 15a,to drain 15b provided in tank rearend 110, outlet side of pumplS being connected by pipe sections 150 and lid to flared outlet or nozzle 15a positioned at the front of tank forward end 11a for directing the output of pump 15 as water stream S through tank 11 toward rear end, 11c. Pipe section 15d may be fitted with a manual control valve 15] for adjusting the flow therethrough and a solenoid operated normally closed cut off valve 15g for the purpose hereinafter-more fully described.

Tank mid-portion llbis sized to serve as a water skiing compartment and accommodate a trainee T, who, when facing toward tank forward end 11a and wearing water skis A extending in water streamS emitted from nozzle 152, is in position for grasping hand grip13a terminating towline 13 to enable his assumption of a water skiing posture and retaina relatively stationary position within said compartment against the flow of said stream S.

Although'a fixed towline may be used, to more closely simulate an actual Water skiing experience, it has been found'desirable to provide a forward pull or thrust on towline 13 which may vary directly with the velocity of stream S, which pull is similar to that exerted by a tow' ing boat. Any. suitable forward thrust producing means may be provided within the scope of the invention.

Utilizing water pressure and velocity generated by pump 15, a simple and efiicient thrust producing mechanism 14 is provided, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, to include a substantially upstanding or vertically disposed bar 14a mounted at a mid-portion thereof by bearing 14b to pivot on a horizontal shaft supported at opposite ends by brackets 14d suitably. mounted to upstancl from opposite tank longitudinal sides 11g. Shaft 14c may extend above and across tank forward end 11a to position a suitable impeller means, such as, bucket 14 carried on the lower end 14c ofbar 14a in alignment with the mouth of nozzle 14g. Bucket 14f may be. preferably conical in shape and have one or more perforations therein, such as, apex opening 14m. .Nozzle 143g may be located above flared nozzle 15s and connected to the outlet side of pump 15 through pipe sectionsv 15c and 14h. Pipe section 14h paralleling pipe section 15d may also be fitted withamanual control valve 14i anda solenoid operated cutoff valve 14 for the purpose hereinafter described.

Watercirculating equipment 12 and thrust producing mechanism 14 may be regulated and controlled for automatic cyclic operation by means of mechanism 16 shown diagrammatically in Fig. 3. Carried on upper end 14k of bar 14a is a master switch 16a having a pivoted arm 16b normally held to retain switch terminals 160 in open position by compression spring 16d. End 13b of towline 13 is secured to the free end of arm 16b and arranged to close switch 16a when towline 13 is pulled by trainee T, a stop means being provided for limiting the pivoting of bar 14a in a counterclockwise direction when viewed in Fig. 1, such as, closed ended slot 14p formed in bearing 14b into which pin 14n projects from shaft 140.

Switch 16a is connected for closing the circuit through leads 16 and 16] to a timer 17 of any well known construction, the latter being designed to provide power from an electric power source 17a for a predetermined time interval as may be set on dial 17b through lines 16g and'16h to energize and open solenoid operated valve 15g.

Simultaneously with the closing of switch 16a and the energizing of valve 15g, a delay timer 18 connected in parallel with solenoid valve 15g through lines 161 and 16 is actuated for closing a circuit to solenoid operated valve 14 through lines 16k and 16m after a predetermined in 'terval has elapsed set on timer dial 18a.

To indicate the opening of valve 14j on an instruction giving panel board 19 provided preferably at the forward end of tank 11 in clear view of trainee T, signal lamp 19a may be provided to be simultaneously lit through wiring 1611 and 16p.

A bypass 15h connecting the end of pipe section 150 with the inlet end of pump 15 may be provided and fitted with a suitable relief valve 15i to permit continuous operation and protection of pump 15, relief valve 15: being designed to open at a predetermined pressure in excess of that required in providing water stream S of water skiing velocity.

To more closely approximate actual water skiing conditions, an electric fan 20 may be installed in position for providing a breeze equivalent to that actually encountered when traveling over the water at water skiing speeds, as for example, at the forward end of tank 11 mounted on support 20a and aligned for directing the breeze at trainee T. The operation of fan 20 may also be controlled by mechanism 16 and be connected for receiving power simultaneously with the closing of switch 16a or, asshown in Fig. 3, may be connected for delayed operation through lines 16r and 16s to the output of delay timer 18 in parallel with solenoid valve 14 and signal lamp 19a to commence operation when the latter lights.

The operation of a simulator-trainer will now be apparent. I After constructing and assembling the parts as above described and shown in the drawings, filling tank 11 with water to a proper level and starting pump 14 which may be wired to receive power in any well known manner (not shown) but independently of mechanism 16, simulator-trainer 10 is ready for use by trainee T. At this point, panel No. 1 of panel board 19 which may carry instructions such as Pull towline has been lighted by suitable means (not shown) and may remain lit throughout the operation. Wearing skis A and seated on seat 11!: in the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 1, trainee T pulls on towline 13 to cause bar upper end 14k to pivot to an extreme rearwardly tilted position as limited by pin 1411 and shown in broken lines in Fig. 1 and then applies an additional pulling force sufficient to overcome spring 16d and close master switch 16a. Thereupon, timer 17 closes the circuit from power source 17a to energize and open solenoid operated valve g and also actuate delay timer 18. Upon the opening of valve 15g, water stream S is emitted from nozzle 15e flowing toward and under trainee T.

A time interval, usually between 10 and seconds, has been preset into delay timer 18 by dial 18a for permitting water stream S to attain a desired skiing velocity I of between id to 30 miles per hour, during which time trainee T places his skis A properly spaced and in alignment on stream S preparatory to rising to a standing position. After the elapse of said preset interval, timer 18 energizes and opens solenoid operated valve 14 for emitting a jet stream of water I through nozzle 14g forcing bucket 14 rearwardly with a resultant forward thrust on towline 13. Simultaneously with the opening of valve 14 signal lamp 19a illuminates panel No. 2 on panel board 19, which may carry suitable instructions for trainee T, such as, Prepare to rise. The forward thrust exerted on towline 13 serves to ease trainee T forward off seat 11h and into the partially standing transition position on skis A supported by the velocity of stream S as shown in full lines in Fig. 1. From this transition position, the trainee T may then continue rising to a more erect normal water skiing position, leaning backward slightly against the pull of towline 13 with knees slightly flexed and skis A at a proper angle of attack.

After the elapse of the interval of time set on dial 17b, as for example, 5 minutes, timer 17 opens the circuit between lines 16g, 16h and power source 17a deenergizing solenoid valves 15g and 14 shutting off the flow of stream S and jet stream J, respectively, stopping fan 20 and extinguishing signal light 19a. Skis A will then sink to the bottom of compartment 11b for easy removal from the feet of trainee T, the latter may then climb out of tank 11 or return to seat 11h to repeat the cycle.

As a safety feature when trainee T loses his balance or for any reason desires to stop the operation of simulator-trainer 10 and particularly the flow of stream S, release of towline hand grip 1311 will immediately open switch 16a causing timer 17 to cut the power with the same results as described above after the elapse of the time interval preset on dial 17b.

The use of timer 17 is contemplated when it is desired to operate simulator-trainer 10 unattended as an amusement device and in conjunction with a coin operated device (not shown), the latter functioning as a resetting mechanism for timer 17 in the well understood manner. For example, when a coin is inserted in such coin receiving device, timer 17 is automatically reset for a 5 minute operating cycle and a panel No. 1 may be arranged for simultaneous illumination to indicate that simulator-trainer 10 is ready for operation.

By omitting timer 17 and interposing switch 16a directly in the circuit of lines 16g and 16h and power source 17a, simulator-trainer 10 will commence a new cycle on closing switch 16a and will continue operation until switch 16a opens the circuit on release of tension on towline 13. Thus, with or without timer 17 the opening of switch 16a upon releasing hand grip 13a shuts off the electric power to mechanism 16, closing valves 15g and 15 Subsequent closing of switch 16a will begin a new cycle, that is, willopen valve 15g to start stream S and actuate delay timer 18, which after the lapse of the preset time interval to permit stream S to attain its full velocity, will open valve 14 to start jet stream J to produce the desired thrust on towline 13.

The velocity of stream S and jet stream I may be increased or decreased as required by adjustment of manual control valves 15 and 14i, respectively. Jet stream I may require adjustment in velocity to compensate for large weight differences of trainees T.

It is thus seen that there is provided an improved water skiing training device whereby the several objects of this invention are achieved and which are well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

and

spinner Havingthus described my. invention, I claim asnew and desire tosecure by Letters Patent;

1. A water skiing simulator-trainer comprising a compartment for accommodatinga Water skiing trainee Wearing water skis and facing in one direction, said compartment containing a shallow, depth of water, means for propelling said water as a stream through said compartment in a direction opposite to said first mentioned direction and at a velocity for supporting the trainee on the skis when the latter are heldvrelatively stationary in the stream in relation to the compartment, a hand grip supporting means extending Within reach of the trainee in said compartment to enable the trainee to assume a Water skiing stance and retain a. relatively stationary position within the compartment against the flow of the stream.

2. A water skiing simulator-trainer comprising a compartment for accommodating a water skiing trainee wearing water skis and facing in one direction, said compartment containing a shallow depth of water, means for propelling said water as a stream through said compartment in a direction opposite to said first mentioned direction and at a velocity for supporting the trainee on the skis when the latter are held relatively stationary in the stream in relation to the compartment, a towline terminating in a hand grip, extending Within reach of the trainee in said compartment to enable the trainee to maintain a relatively stationary position within the compartment against the How of the stream, and a thrust producing mechanism to which the, towline is attached for providing a pulling force thereon comparable to that exerted by a towing boat under actual water skiing conditions.

3. The water skiing simulator-trainer defined in claim 2 in which said water propelling means includes a pump connected to a nozzle positioned to direct said stream in said second mentioned direction through said compartment.

4. The water skiing simulator-trainer defined in claim 2 in which said water propelling means is a pump connected to a nozzle positioned to direct said stream in said second mentioned direction through said compartment, and said thrust producing mechanism includes a pivoted bar having said towline attached to one end thereof and an opposite end terminated by an impeller means positioned in the stream for actuation thereby.

5. The water skiing simulator-trainer defined in claim 2 including a regulating and controlling mechanism for operating said water propelling means and said thrust producing mechanism in a predetermined timed relation.

6. The water skiing simulator-trainer defined in claim 2 in which said Water propelling means includes a pump connected to a nozzle positioned to direct said stream in said second mentioned direction through said compartment, a cut-cit valve interposed between the pump and nozzle normally in a closed position, and a regulating and controlling mechanism for operating said cut-off valve and the thrust producing mechanism in a predetermined timed relation.

7. The water skiing simulator-trainer defined in claim 2 in which said water propelling means includes a pump connected to a nozzle positioned to direct said stream in said second mentioned direction through the compartment, said thrust producing mechanism including a pivoted bar having said towline attached to one end thereof and an opposite end terminated by an impeller means positioned in the stream for actuation thereby, a cut-off valve interposed between the pump and nozzle normally in a closed position, and a regulating and controlling mechanism for operating said cut-off valve and the thrust producing mechanism in a predetermined timed relation including a switch operative on the application of tension on said towline by the trainee to open said flow cut-01f means and cause said stream to flow through the compartment,

8. A water skiing simulator-trainer comprising an elongated tank fitted with means for producing a relatively shallowstream of water flowing from front to rear at a velocity for supporting a skiing trainee on Water skis when the latter are held relatively stationary in the stream in relation to said tank, a towline extending from said front for grasping by said trainee, a thrust producing mechanism for providing a pulling force on said towline comparable to that exerted by a towing boat under actual water skiing conditions, and a regulating and controlling mechanism for operating said water flow producing means and said thrust producing mechanism in a predetermined timed relation.

9. The water skiing simulator-trainer defined in claim 8 including a seat mounted above the tank at a level to permit the trainees skis to reach down to the level of the stream when. seated thereon, said trust producing mechanism and regulating and controlling mechanism being constructed and arranged to actuate said towline to pull the trainee forward ofi the seat at a predetermined time when. the stream is ata velocity for supporting the trainees weight.

10. The water skiing simulator-trainer defined in claim 8 in which said regulating and controlling mechanism includes a switch for operating said water flow producing means when tension is exerted on the towline by the trainee and effective when tension on the towline is slackened to stop the stream from the water flow producing means.

11; The Water skiing simulator-trainer defined in claim 8 in which said Water flow producing means includes a means for producing an auxiliary jet stream and said thrust producing mechanism includes an impeller means actuated by the jet stream to produce said pulling force on the towline.

12. A water skiing simulator-trainer comprising an elongated tank fitted with means for producing a rel-a.- tively shallow stream of water flowing from front to rear at a velocity for supporting a skiing trainee on water skis when the latter are held relatively stationary in the stream in relation to said tank, means for producing an auxiliary jet stream, a towline extending within reach of said trainee, a thrust producing mechanism including an impeller means extending into said jet stream for actuation thereby for providing a pulling force on said towline comparable to that exerted by a towing boat under actual water skiing conditions, a regulating and controlling mechanism for operating said water flow producing means and said auxiliary jet stream producing means at a predetermined timed relation, and a switch for operating said water flow producing means when tension is exerted on the towline by the trainee and effective when tension on the towline is slackened to stop the stream from the Water flow producing means.

13. A water skiing simulator-trainer comprising a compartment for accommodating a water skiing trainee Wearing skis and facing in one direction, said compartment containing a shallow depth of water, means for supporting the trainee in the compartment in a pre-skiing position, means for propelling said Water as a stream through said compartment in a direction opposite to said first mentioned direction and at a velocity for supporting the trainee on the skis when the latter are held relatively stationary in the stream in relation to the compartment, a towline terminating in a hand grip extending Within reach of the trainee in said compartment when in said pre-skiing position, a thrust producing mechanism to which the towline is attached for exerting a pulling force on the trainee when grasping the hand grip, and a regulating and controlling mechanism for operating said water propelling means when tension is exerted on the towline by the trainee including a delay timer for actuating said thrust producing mechanism after a predetermined time lapse suflicient to permit said stream to attain water skiing velocity, said thrust producing mechanism being constructed and arranged to actuate said towline to pull the trainee forward from said pre-skiing position to a water skiing stance on the stream.

14. The water skiing simulator-trainer defined in claim 13 including a visual warning device in view of the trainee when in said pre-skiing position operated by said regulating and controlling mechanism when said thrust producing mechanism becomes eiective to pull the trainee forward.

15. A water skiing simulator-trainer comprising a compartment for accommodating a water skiing trainee wearing water skis and facing in one direction, said compartment containing a shallow depth of Water, means for supporting the trainee in the compartment in a preskiing position, means for propelling said water as a stream through said compartment in a direction opposite to said first mentioned direction and at a velocity for supporting the trainee on the skis when the latter are held relatively stationary in the stream in relation to the compartment, said water propelling means including a pump connected to a nozzle positioned to direct the stream in said second mentioned direction through the compartment and to an auxiliary nozzle for emitting a jet stream, a towline terminating in a hand grip extending within reach of the trainee in said compartment when in said pre-skiing position, a thrust producing mechanism having a pivoted bar to which the towline is attached for providing a pulling force thereon, said bar terminating in an impeller means positioned in the jet stream for actuation thereby to produce said pulling force on the towline, a pair of cut-01f valves normally in closed position, one valve interposed between the pump and each of said nozzles, and an electric regulating and controlling mechanism for operating said cut-off valves in timed relation including a switch for providing electric power to open said cut-off valves when tension is exerted on the towline by the trainee and effective when tension on the towline is slackened to close the valves, said regulating and controlling mechanism having a delay timer in circuit with said switch whereby the valve to the first mentioned nozzle is opened on closing the switch to provide the stream through said compartment and the valve to the auxiliary nozzle is opened by the delay timer after a predetermined time lapse to operate said thrust producing mechanism to pull the trainee forward from said pre-skiing position to a water skiing stance on said stream.

16. A water skiing simulator-trainer comprising a relatively narrow and elongated tank for containing a predetermined depth of water having a shallow forward end, a mid-portion forming a water-skiing compartment for accommodating a trainee wearing water skis facing said forward end, and a reservoir forming rear end, a water conduit connecting said rear tank end with a nozzle located in said forward tank end, a pump for circulating and propelling said water through said conduit from said rear end to the nozzle for causing a stream through said compartment flowing from the forward end to the rear end of the tank, a flow cut-off means interposed in said water conduit normally in a closed position, a towline terminating in a hand grip extending Within reach of the trainee in said compartment and attached to a switch operative on the application of tension by the trainee to open said flow cut-ofi means and cause said stream to flow through the compartment.

17. The water skiing simulator-trainer defined in claim 16 including an electric fan positioned at the front of said tank to direct a breeze toward the trainee in said compartment, said fan being operative in a predetermined timed relation with said flow cut-01f means 'by said switch.

18. A water skiing simulator-trainer comprising an elongated tank fitted with means for producing a relatively shallow stream of water flowing from front to rear at a velocity for supporting a skiing trainee on water skis when the latter are held relatively stationary in the stream in relation to said tank, a towline terminating in a hand grip extending within reach of the trainee in said tank, and a switch for operating said stream producing means when tension is exerted on the towline by the trainee and effective when tension on the towline is slackened to stop operation thereof.

19. The water skiing simulator-trainer defined in claim 18 in which a rear portion of the tank is enclosed with a safety screen to protect the trainee from injury in falling.

20. In a water skiing simulator-trainer of the character described in combination, a tank, means for propelling a shallow stream of Water through the tank at water skiing velocity including a power operated pump installed for relatively continuous operation and fitted with a relief valve controlled bypass, an inlet side of said pump being connected to a rear end of the tank and a pump outlet side being connected to a flared nozzle positioned at a front end of the tank for directing said stream through the tank, a solenoid operated cut-off valve and a manually operated flow adjustment valve for said connection to said nozzle, said solenoid operated valve being normally closed and opening when energized, a normally open electric control circuit for energizing said solenoid operated valve, and a dead-man type switch for closing said control circuit to start and stop said stream of water.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 838,989 Hart Dec. 18, 1906 1,331,270 Lippincott Aug. 22, 1919 1,389,611 Wood et al. Sept. 6, 1921 1,546,031 Schofield July 14, 1925 FOREIGN PATENTS 803,496 France A. D. 1936 

